The Ghana Police Service has announced that it will begin full enforcement of its automated traffic enforcement system, TRAFFITECH-GH, on October 1, 2026. This system uses cameras and Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices to detect traffic offences. The initiative aims to increase compliance with road traffic laws and reduce deaths and injuries on the road. Motorists will start receiving electronic traffic violation notices via SMS when offences are detected.
Before the rollout, drivers are advised to check several key aspects of their vehicles. These include tyre age, window tint, parking, roadside repairs, reflectors, seat belts, and vehicle registration. The regulations cover a range of requirements for vehicle owners and drivers. An Electronic Notice of Violation (ENV) will be sent to the registered vehicle owner or driver if an offence is detected. This notice must be paid or contested within 14 days.
The ENV is an SMS issued by the Ghana Police Service when a motorist violates traffic rules and regulations. It contains details such as a ticket number, location, date, and time of the offence, vehicle registration number, offence description, payment amount, and payment deadline. Drivers can review the evidence at www.ghana.gov.gh using their ticket number. They can then pay the fine within 14 days via an approved channel or contest the notice online within 14 days if they believe it was wrongly issued.
One of the key regulations relates to tyre age. According to Regulation 87, a tyre must not be more than six years old from its date of manufacture. The manufacturing date is shown on the tyre sidewall using a four-digit code. The first two digits show the week and the last two digits show the year. For example, a tyre with the code 4026 was made in the 40th week of 2026.
Window tint is another area of focus. The regulations prohibit driving with a tinted front windscreen. For other tinted glass, the light transmission must be at least 70%, allowing people outside to see into the vehicle. This rule is based on the principle of "see and be seen." Security and emergency service providers are among the exemptions. ACP Alexander Kwaku Obeng, Director of Education, Research and Training at the MTTD, emphasized the importance of this regulation.
Parking regulations are also being enforced. Parking partly or completely on a road verge, shoulder, or footway is an offence. Motorists are warned against leaving vehicles on road verges, and digital traffic-enforcement devices can be used to gather evidence of such offences. Additionally, mechanics and motorists should not use public roads as repair yards, as washing or repairing a motor vehicle or trailer on a road is prohibited.
The Ghana Police Service has warned motorists about scams related to the electronic traffic violation notices. A genuine ENV should not direct you to send money to a personal mobile-money number. Motorists should use only the official payment system. The 14-day deadline for payment or contesting the notice must be adhered to, and payment can be made through Ghana.gov using mobile money or a debit or credit card.
Key points
- The Ghana Police Service will implement TRAFFITECH-GH on October 1, 2026.
- Motorists will receive electronic traffic violation notices via SMS for detected offences.
- The regulations cover various aspects, including tyre age, window tint, parking, and seat belts.
